Methods and apparatus for providing backhaul services to a citizens broadband radio service device

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for providing backhaul capacity to a first Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) using a device to device connection to a second CBSD. An exemplary method embodiment includes operating a first Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) to: (i) establish a wireless device to device (D2D) communications link with a second CBSD using D2D wireless communications resources; (ii) send, via the D2D communications link, a first backhaul resource reservation signal to the second CBSD to reserve a first portion of a communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD to a service provider communication network; and (iii) communicate data for a user equipment device (UE) being served by the first CBSD to said service provider communications network via said D2D communications link and the communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providingbackhaul connections to a service provider network in a CitizensBroadband Radio Service (CBRS) network. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a firstCitizens Broadband Radio Service Device a backhaul connection to aservice provider network via a device to device wireless connection to asecond Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device which is connected to theservice provider network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network, Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Devices CBSDs serve as access points which can supportcommunications between a user equipment device (UE) and a serviceprovider network.

A CBRS network often includes one or more Citizens Broadband RadioService Devices (CBSDs) with relatively small coverage areas as comparedto a macro base station or access point. In a CBRS network, interferenceis managed through power management of CBSD devices by a managementdevice in the network referred to as a Spectrum Access System (SAS).

The Citizens Broadband Radio Service network utilizes the 150 megahetzin the 3550-3700 MHz band referred to as the 3.5 GHz Band. Not all CBSDdevices are located so that they can be provided a backhaul connection,e.g., cable wired or fiber optic connection, to an operator's corenetwork. In other situations such as for example where the CBSD isacting as a hot spot it may not be cost effective to provide a backhaulconnection from the CBSD to the operator's core network. In still othersituations, it may be useful to make a CBSD base station operational ina short period of time to address emergency or other short term hightraffic needs without the time or expense of connecting the CBSD to anoperator's core network. Furthermore, there are still other situationsin which operating the CBSD to provide UE devices network services ishighly desirable without expending the high costs of wiring the CBSD toan operator's network. Moreover, there are cost advantages to notbuilding out a wired or fiber optic cable network to include all CBSDswhen doing so for CBSD's in low density areas would be prohibitivelyexpensive. However, it is desirable and advantageous for a CitizensBroadband Radio Service network operator to be able to provide as broada coverage area as possible for its users while not expending large sumsof money to expand the wired network to connect every CBSD device via ahardwired connection to the operator's network or using the CBRSnetwork's wireless resources for backhaul connections.

In view of the foregoing comments, it should be appreciated that thereis a need for new and improved methods, systems and apparatus to solvethe technological communications and network centric problem of how toprovide CBRS coverage and network services in areas to which the CBSDdevice does not have a backhaul connection to the CBRS operator'snetwork in a cost efficient and effective manner. There is also a needfor new and/or improved methods, apparatus and systems that address thetechnological communications and network centric problem of how toprovide backhaul capacity to a CBSD device which does not have abackhaul connection to the CBSD's core network. There is also a need forproviding backhaul capacity to a CBSD device which does not have abackhaul connection to the CBSD's core network without using the CBRSnetworks frequency spectrum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods, system and apparatus forproviding backhaul connections to a service provider network in aCitizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to methods, apparatus and systems forproviding a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device a backhaulconnection to a service provider network via a wireless device to deviceconnection to another CBSD which does have a backhaul connection to theservice provider. The device to device connection being implementedusing the communications resources of a MVNO network to which both CBSDsparticipating in the device to device connection are registered andappear as user equipment devices. One or more embodiments of the presentinvention are directed to solving the aforementioned problems.

An exemplary method embodiment of present invention includes the stepsof operating a first Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) to:(i) establish a wireless device to device (D2D) communications link witha second CBSD using D2D wireless communications resources; (ii) send,via the D2D communications link, a first backhaul resource reservationsignal to the second CBSD to reserve a first portion of a communicationsbackhaul extending from the second CBSD to a service providercommunication network; and (iii) communicate data for a user equipmentdevice (UE) being served by the first CBSD to said service providercommunications network via said D2D communications link and thecommunications backhaul extending from the second CBSD.

Prior to establishing the wireless D2D link the first CBSD is operatedto: (i) send a first registration signal to a first base station of awireless network service provider (e.g., LTE macro network serviceprovider) to register with the wireless network service provider, and(ii) send a first D2D resource request message to the first base stationto request wireless D2D communications resources for communicating withthe second CBSD. Prior to establishing the wireless D2D link, the secondCBSD is operated to send a second registration signal to the basestation of the wireless network service provider (e.g., LTE macronetwork service provider) to register with the wireless network serviceprovider. The first registration signal is typically a signal toregister the first CBSD as a mobile service subscriber in the wirelessnetwork of the wireless network service provider; and the secondregistration signal is typically a signal to register the second CBSD asa mobile service subscriber in the wireless network of wireless networkservice provider.

In some embodiments, the first and second CBSDs each include aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The first CBSD appears as a firstUE to the wireless network while the second CBSD appears as a second UEto the wireless network.

In some embodiments, the wireless network is an LTE wireless network andthe D2D communications link is an LTE D2D communications link.

In various embodiments, the first D2D resource request message requestsa first amount of wireless D2D communications resources, said firstamount of wireless D2D communications resources being based on anexpected amount of data to be transmitted over the backhaul of thesecond CBSD on behalf of user equipment devices serviced by the firstCBSD during a first period of time.

The first CBSD in most embodiments is operated to receive, via the D2Dcommunications link, a backhaul resource grant signal from the secondCBSD indicating that the first portion of the second CBSD's backhaul hasbeen reserved for use by first CBSD.

In some embodiments, the second CBSD is operated to communicate datacorresponding to a UE served by the first CBSD and data corresponding toa UE served by the second CBSD over said second CBSD's backhaul.

In many embodiments, the first CBSD does not have a wired backhaulconnection to the service provider network or the wireless serviceprovider network. In some embodiments, the first CBSD includes a firstset of antennas and a second set of antennas. In such methodembodiments, the method includes using the first set of antennas toreceive and transmit signals to the base station of the wireless networkservice provider and to the second CBSD; and using the second set ofantennas for communications with user equipment devices served by thefirst CBSD.

The first CBSD communicates with the second CBSD using a first frequencyband while the first CBSD communicates with user equipment devicesserved by the first CBSD using a second frequency band which isdifferent from the first frequency band. In some such embodiments, firstfrequency band is a licensed frequency band used by a macro base stationoperator and wherein the first base station is a macro base station.

The present invention is applicable to apparatus and system embodimentswherein one or more devices implement the steps of the methodembodiments. In some apparatus embodiments each of CBDS, user equipmentdevices, SAS devices, registrars, macro base stations and each of theother apparatus/devices of the system include one or more processorand/or hardware circuitry, input/output interfaces including receiversand transmitters, and a memory. The memory including instructions whenexecuted by the processor control the apparatus/device of the system tooperate to perform the steps of various method embodiments of theinvention.

The present invention is also applicable to and includes apparatus andsystems such as for example, apparatus and systems that implement thesteps of the method embodiments. For example, an exemplarycommunications system embodiments comprises: a first Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Device (CBSD) including a first processor configured tocontrol the first CBSD to: establish a wireless device to device (D2D)communications link with a second CBSD using D2D wireless communicationsresources; send, via the D2D communications link, a first backhaulresource reservation signal to the second CBSD to reserve a firstportion of a communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD to aservice provider communication network; and communicate data for a userequipment device (UE) being served by the first CBSD to said serviceprovider communications network via said D2D communications link and thecommunications backhaul extending from the second CBSD.

While various embodiments have been discussed in the summary above, itshould be appreciated that not necessarily all embodiments include thesame features and some of the features described above are not necessarybut can be desirable in some embodiments. Numerous additional features,embodiments and benefits of various embodiments are discussed in thedetailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communications system in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the exemplary communications system of FIG. 1 withvarious additional connections between the devices shown such as awireless device to device (D2D) communications link between the twoillustrated Citizens Broadband Radio Services Devices and wirelesscommunications links between the CBSDs and the macro base station of theMVNO network.

FIG. 3 illustrates the combination of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3A illustrates a first part of an exemplary signaling diagram andmethod in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a second part of an exemplary signaling diagram andmethod in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates details of an exemplary Citizens Broadband RadioService Device (CBSD) in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates details of an exemplary User Equipment (UE) device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates details of an exemplary Spectrum Access System (SAS)in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a CBSD inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a userequipment device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a SAS devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates the combination of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 10A illustrates the steps of the first part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10B illustrates the steps of the second part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The current invention is applicable to Citizens Broadband Radio Service(CBRS) networks that provide wireless communications services. Thepresent invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus forproviding backhaul capability to Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevices that do not have a backhaul connection, e.g., wired connection,to a core network such as for example a service provider network.

Citizens Broadband Radio Service networks are networks that include userequipment devices, e.g., mobile or wireless devices such as for examplecell phones, smart phones, laptops, tablets, Citizens Broadband RadioService Devices (CBSDs) which serve as access points/base stations, andSpectrum Access Systems which provides spectrum assignments and managesfrequency interference through power management of the CBSDstransmission power. The Citizens Broadband Radio Service networkutilizes the 150 megahetz in the 3550-3700 MHz band referred to as the3.5 GHz Band. The CBRS network includes Spectrum Access Systems thatobtain information about registered or licensed commercial users in the3.5 GHz band from FCC databases and information about federal incumbentusers of the band from ESC (Environmental Sensing Capability) system andinteract directly or indirectly with CBSDs operating in the band toensure that Citizens Broadband Radio Service users operate in a mannerconsistent with their authorizations and promote efficient use of thespectrum resource. Among the Spectrum Access System functions as definedin the Amendment of the Commission's Rules with Regard to CommercialOperations in the 3550-3650 MHz Band released Apr. 21, 2015 are that: itdetermines the available frequencies at a given geographic location andassign them to CBSDs; it determines the maximum permissible transmissionpower level for CBSDs at a given location and communicates thatinformation to the CBSDs; it registers and authenticates theidentification information and location of CBSDs; it enforces exclusionand protection zones, including any future changes to such Zones, toensure compatibility between Citizens Broadband Radio Service users andincumbent federal operations; it protects Priority Access Licensees(PAL) from impermissible interference from other Citizens BroadbandRadio Service users; ensures secure and reliable transmission ofinformation between the SAS, ESC, and CBSDs; and it facilitatescoordination and information exchange between SASs. Through themanagement of the CBSDs power transmission levels in a geographical areathe SAS manages the radio interference in the geographical area.

The Citizens Broadband Radio Service network utilizes the 150 megahetzin the 3550-3700 MHz band referred to as the 3.5 GHz Band. Not all CBSDdevices are located so that they can be provided a backhaul connection,e.g., cable wired or fiber optic connection, to an operator's corenetwork. In other situations such as for example where the CBSD isacting as a hot spot it may not be cost effective to provide a backhaulconnection from the CBSD to the operator's core network. In still othersituations, it may be useful to make a CBSD base station operational ina short period of time to address emergency or other short term hightraffic needs without the time or expense of connecting the CBSD to anoperator's core network. Furthermore, there are still other situationsin which operating the CBSD to provide UE devices network serviceswithout expending the high costs of wiring the CBSD to an operator'snetwork. Moreover, there are cost advantages to not building out a wiredor fiber optic cable network to include all CBSDs when doing so forCBSD's in low density areas would be prohibitively expensive. However,it is desirable and advantageous for a Citizens Broadband Radio Servicenetwork operator to be able to provide as broad a coverage area aspossible for its users while not expending large sums of money to expandthe wired network to connect every CBSD device via a hardwiredconnection to the operator's network. There is a need for new andimproved methods, systems and apparatus to solve the technologicalcommunications and network centric problem of how to provide CBRScoverage and network services in areas to which the CBSD device does nothave a backhaul connection, e.g., a wired connection to the CBRSoperator's network in a cost effective manner. There is also a need fornew and/or improved methods, apparatus and systems that address thetechnology communications and network centric problem of how to providebackhaul capacity to a CBSD device which does not have a backhaulconnection to the CBSD's core network.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide solutions to theaforementioned problems and in particular the CBRS network centrictechnological problem of how to provide backhaul services to a CBSDdevice that does not have a backhaul connection, e.g., a cable wired orfiber optic connection, to the operators network in a cost effective andefficient manner without using CBSR network frequency spectrum.

One exemplary communications system used to implement an exemplaryembodiment in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communications system 100 having anarchitecture implemented in accordance with the present invention. Thecommunications system 100 includes a CBRS network coupled to a firstoperator core network, e.g., first service provider network, and aMobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Network. The CBRS wirelessnetwork is coupled to a first operator's network core 112 also sometimesreferred to as the core network which may be for example an Long TermEvolution (LTE) Evolved Packet Core Network.

The MVNO network includes a MVNO network core 110 including a registrar111, e.g., Home Subscriber Server (HSS), a macro base station 108, e.g.,eNodeB 108, which is connected to the MVNO network core 110 viacommunications link 132 which is typically a wired communications linksuch as for example a high capacity wired cable or fiber optical cable.MVNO cell 130 illustrates the macro base station 108 wireless coveragearea. While only one macro base station 108 is illustrated, it is to beunderstood that the MVNO network typically has numerous macro basestations. The Citizens Broadcast Radio Service Device (CBSD) 1 102 andCitizens Broadcast Radio Service Device (CBSD) 2 104 both include asubscriber identity module (SIM) card for wireless communication withthe macro base station, eNodeB 108. CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 are bothwithin the coverage area of eNodeB 108 as illustrated by MVNO cell 130.The MVNO network in this example is a Long Term Evolution (LTE) EvolvedPacket Core Network which operates at a frequency spectrum differentfrom the CBRS network frequency spectrum.

The exemplary CBRS network of system 100 includes Citizens BroadcastRadio Service Device (CBSD) 1 102, CBSD 2 104, Spectrum Access Systemdevice 106, and a plurality of user equipment (UE) devices UE 1 116, UE2 118, UE 3 120, UE 4 122, UE 5 124. The CBSD 2 is connected to SAS 1106 via communications link 140 and to the second operator network core112 via communications link 129. Communications links 129 and 140 arewired communications links. The second operator is the same operatorthat operates CBSD 1 and CBSD 2 and is sometimes referred to as the CBSDoperator with the second operator network core 112 sometimes beingreferred to as the CBSD operator network core.

The MVNO network core 110 includes a registrar 111. The CBSD operatornetwork core 112 includes a registrar 114, e.g., Home Subscriber Server(HSS) and network services equipment 115. The system 100 also includes avideo content server 142 which stores and provides content to users,e.g., user equipment devices, upon request. The video content server 142is coupled to the CBSD operator network core 112 via communications link143 which is typically a wired communications link.

CBRS cell 126 of the CBRS network illustrates the wireless coveragerange of CBSD 1 102. CBSD 1 102 is a base station that provides wirelessservices to user equipment devices. The user equipment devices alsosometimes referred to as user terminal devices UE 1 116, UE 2 118, andUE 3 120 are located in the cell 128. Communications links 141, 144, and148 illustrate wireless communications channels, e.g., radio channels,over which CBSD 1 102 and UE 1 116, UE 2 118, and UE 3 120 communicaterespectively. The user equipment devices UE 4 122 and UE 5 124 arelocated outside of the cell 126 and are not in communication with CBSD 1102 as they are outside of the CBSD 1 coverage area.

CBRS cell 128 of the CBRS network illustrates the wireless coveragerange of CBSD 2 104. CBSD 2 104 is a base station that provides wirelessservices to user equipment devices. The user equipment devices alsosometimes referred to as user terminal devices UE 4 122 and UE 5 124 arelocated in the cell 128. Communications links 123 and 125 illustratewireless communications channels, e.g., radio channels, over which CBSD2 104 and UE 4 122 and UE 5 124 communicate respectively.

Both CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 are within the MVNO cell 130 and includeSIM cards so that they appear to the MVNO network as user equipmentdevices which as mobile service subscribers that can receive servicesfrom the MVNO network. In this example, it should be noted that CBSD 1102 does not have a wired connection to CBSD 2 104, SAS 1 106 or theCBSD operator network core 112 nor does it have any type of backhaulconnection to the CBSD operator network core 112, SAS 1 106 or the MVNOnetwork core 110.

The macro base station 108 in some embodiments is an LTE macro basestation, e.g., eNodeB base station. The macro base station typicallyincludes one or more receivers, transmitters, antennas and processorswith the one or more processors controlling the operation of the macrobase station.

While for the sake of simplicity in explaining the invention system 100only illustrates two CBSDs and a few UE devices, it will be appreciatedthat system 100 typically includes numerous active CBSDs in the CBRSnetwork supporting a plurality of UE devices.

Elements or steps with the same reference numbers used in differentfigures are the same or similar and those elements or steps will not bedescribed in detail again.

FIG. 2 diagram 100′ illustrates communications system 100 withadditional communications wireless links 134, 136 and 138. Thesewireless links 134, 136 and 138 are operated within a frequency spectrumor frequency band of the MVNO network. Communications link 134 couplesCBSD 1 102 to macro base station eNodeB 108. Communications link 136couples CBSD 2 104 to macro base station eNodeB 108. Communications link138 is a device to device connection/communication link coupling CBSD 1102 to CBSD 2 104. CBSD 1 102 communicates with macro base station 108using wireless communications link 134, e.g., to register with the MVNOnetwork via macro base station 108, request device to device resources,and to report device to device connection resource utilization. CBSD 2104 uses wireless communication link 136 to communicate with the MVNOnetwork via macro base station 108, e.g., to register with the MVNOnetwork. CSD1 102 and CBSD 2 104 communicate with each via the device todevice wireless communications link 138. CBSD 1 102 sends and receivesmessages to/from the SAS 1 106, CBSD operator network core via thedevice to device wireless communications link 138 and via the CBSD 2 104backhaul connections to the SAS 1 106 and CBSD operator network core112.

A brief overview of various aspects of one or more embodiments of thepresent invention will now be described in connection with FIGS. 1 and2. As previously discussed, the invention addresses the problem of howCBSD without a backhaul connection to an operator's network core or theSAS can be operated to still provide network services to UE devices itis servicing. CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 each have a SIM card with anIMSI identification number and authentication credentials. CBSD 1 102registers with the MVNO network using its SIM card. CBSD 1 102 uses theIMSI in its SIM card to register with the MVNO network as a UE mobileservice subscriber. CBSD 2 104 also registers with the MVNO networkusing its SIM card. CBSD 104 uses the IMSI in its SIM card to registerwith the MVNO network as a UE mobile service subscriber. CBSD 1 102 usesthe wireless link 134 to register with the MVNO network and CBSD 2 104uses the wireless link 136 to register with the MVNO network. Both CBSD1 102 and CBSD 2 104 appear to the macro base station 108 of the MVNOwireless network as UE mobile service subscribers. Wireless links 134and 136 use frequency spectrum of the MVNO wireless network not CBRSnetwork frequency spectrum.

The CBSD 104 also registers with the CBSD operator network core 112establishing a backhaul connection between CBSD 2 104 and the CBSDoperator network core 112.

CBSD 1 102 initiates a device to device communication connection withCBSD 2 104 since CBSD 1 102 does not have a backhaul connection. MVNOmacro base station 108 which in this example is an eNodeB assignsrequired physical resource block (PRB) resources for the device todevice connection between CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 in a response to arequest for PRB resources from CBSD 1 102 as part of establishing theD2D connection between CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104. CSD1 102 and CBSD 2104 have MVNO frequency spectrum, e.g., LTE, transmitter and receiver.The D2D connection is established over wireless communication link 138and uses MVNO frequency spectrum resources not CBRS frequency spectrumresources.

CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 each have a plurality of antennas and assigndifferent groups of antennas for the D2D communication and forcommunications between the CBSDs and the UEs that are in the coveragearea of the CBSDs. For example, if a CBSD has four antennas, itsreserves 2 antennas for D2D communications and 2 antennas are reservedfor communications with UEs in its coverage area.

Depending on the resource requirement for the D2D connection betweenCBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104, the amount of resources, e.g., PRB resources,assigned to the D2D by the macro base station may be increased ordecreased. This will be determined by the D2D resource utilizationpercentage, e.g., PRB utilization percentage, as measured by CBSD 1 102and reported to the MVNO base station 108. CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104will behave like UEs with IMSI number. Registration and authenticationprocesses with the respect to the MVNO wireless network will be the sameas if the CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 are mobile service subscriber UEs.

In some embodiments, the CBSD 2 104 will reserve a portion of itsbackhaul resources to be used solely for D2D communications with CBSD 1102. The rest of CBSD 2 104's backhaul resources will be utilized forservicing UEs served by CBSD 2 104, e.g., UE 4 122 and UE 5 125 in theexample of FIGS. 1 and 2. Reserved backhaul resources can changedynamically based on Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of thetraffic type. In some embodiments, backhaul resources are reserveddepending on the total downlink data tonnage per CBSD, or ither is morethan one sector in a CBSD, the sum of all downlink data tonnage iscalculated and used. In some embodiments, CBSD 1 102 will periodicallygenerate and send “Backhaul Capacity Reservation” request messages toCBSD 2 104 over the D2D link to dynamically inform CBSD 2 104 of theoptimum amount of backhaul capacity to reserve for CBSD 1 102. If CBSD 2104 can reserve the capacity in its backhaul, CBSD 2 104 will generateand respond with a “Backhaul Capacity Reservation Accept Message” withthe amount of backhaul capacity reserved for CBSD 1 102. Discussed belowin connection with FIG. 3 is a more detailed exemplary of the signalingand steps which may be implemented in an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 comprises FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3 illustrates the steps andassociated signaling and data exchange between various entities/devicesperformed in an exemplary communications method in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a first partof the method steps and associated signaling and data exchange of FIG.3. FIG. 3B is the second part of the method steps and associatedsignaling and data exchange of FIG. 3.

The exemplary method illustrated in diagram 3000 of FIG. 3 along withthe signaling used to implement the method shows how a device to devicewireless communications link can be established and utilized to providea backhaul connection to a CBSD that does not have a backhaulconnection. In FIG. 3, the exemplary method 3000 is implemented usingexemplary system 100 and 100′ of FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively. Elements orsteps with the same reference numbers used in different figures are thesame or similar and those elements or steps will not be described indetail again.

The method 3000 will now be explained in connection with the steps ofthe signaling diagram shown in FIG. 3. For explanatory purposessimplified signaling request and response messages are depicted with themessages and information contained therein illustrated which are mostpertinent to explaining the present embodiment of the invention. As itwill be appreciated additional information and formatting of themessages as well as the use of additional messages may be and typicallyare used in initiating and communicating among entities such for exampleinitiating a device to device communications connection between twoCBSDs, reserving resources for device to device communications,reserving backhaul capacity and obtaining video content by a UE from avideo content server.

In start step 3002 illustrated on FIG. 3A, the communications methodbegins. Operation proceeds from start step 3002 to initialization step3004.

In initialization step 3004. The system 100 is initialized with CBSD 1102 and CBSD 2 104 powered up and activated.

CSBD 1 102 as shown in FIG. 1 is not connected to the CBSD 2 104, theCBSD Operator network core 112 or the MVNO network core 110. The CSBD 1102 does not have a wired connection to SAS 1 106, CBSD 2 104, the CBSDoperator network core 112, the MVNO network core 110, or the MVNO macrobase station 108. The CBSD 1 102 as a result has no backhaul connectionto either the MVNO network core or the CBSD operator network core. Noris it connected to the SAS 1 106 of the CBRS network. In someembodiments, the CBSD 1 102 is implemented in accordance with exemplaryCBSD 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. However, in some embodiments the CBSD 1102 has no network interface, i.e., wired or optical interface such asinterface 405 of exemplary CBSD 400. As there is no wired connectionthis reduces the cost of the CBSD 400. In some embodiments, the CBSD 1102 includes a network interface, i.e. wired or optical interface 405but no wired or fiber optical cable is connected to the networkinterface and/or the network interface is inoperable and/or the wire orfiber optic cable connected to the network interface has failed so thatthe CBSD 1 102 has no backhaul connection. The CBSD 1 102 has twowireless interfaces. The first wireless interface is operated tocommunicate using the licensed and assigned frequency spectrum andbandwidth of the CBRS system. The CBSD 1 102 communicates with the userequipment devices it provides services using the first wirelesscommunications interface. The CBSD 1 102 second wireless interface isoperated to communicate in the frequency spectrum and bandwidth of theMVNO network 110 so it can communicate with the macro base station(eNode B) 108 of the MVNO wireless network and with CBSD 2 104. The CBSD1 102 has antennas assigned to communicate at the CBRS assignedfrequency to communicate with CBRS user equipment devices in itscoverage area which is cell 126. These antennas are part of the firstwireless interface. The CBSD 1 102 also has antennas assigned tocommunicate at the MVNO network frequency to communicate with the macrobase station eNodeB 108 and the CBSD 2 104. These antennas are includedin the second wireless interface. In some embodiments, the CBSD 1 102uses a single wireless interface with two groups or sets of antennas.The first group or set of antennas configured to communicate using theCBRS assigned frequency spectrum and the second group or set of antennasconfigured to communicate using the MVNO network frequency spectrum.

The CBSD 2 104 is implemented in accordance with the exemplary CBSD 400illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed in further detail below. The CBSD 2104 has two wireless interfaces. The first wireless interface isoperated to communicate using the licensed and assigned frequencyspectrum and bandwidth of the CBRS system. CBSD 2 104 communicates withthe user equipment devices it provides services using the first wirelesscommunications interface. The CBSD 2 104 second wireless interface isoperated to communicate in the frequency spectrum and bandwidth of theMVNO network 110 so it can communicate with the macro base station(eNode B) 108 of the MVNO wireless network and with CBSD 1 102. The CBSD2 104 has antennas assigned to communicate at the CBRS assignedfrequency to communicate with CBRS user equipment devices in itscoverage area which is cell 128. These antennas are part of the firstwireless interface. The CBSD 2 104 also has antennas assigned tocommunicate at the MVNO network frequency to communicate with the macrobase station eNodeB 108 and the CBSD 1 102. These antennas are includedin the second wireless interface. In some embodiments, the CBSD 2 104uses a single wireless interface with two groups or sets of antennas.The first group or set of antennas configured to communicate using theCBRS assigned frequency spectrum and the second group or set of antennasconfigured to communicate using the MVNO network frequency spectrum. TheCBSD 2 104 has one or more network interfaces that are coupled orconnected to the SAS 1 106 and the CBSD operator network core 112. CBSD2 104 is coupled or connected to SAS 1 106 via communications link 140and CBSD 2 104 is coupled or connected to the CBSD operator network core112 via communication link 128. Both CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 include aSIM card and appear to the MVNO Network as a user equipment device.

Operation proceeds from initialization step 3004 to step 3006. In step3006, CBSD 1 102 generates a registration request message 3008 toregister with the MVNO network using information contained in its SIMcard, e.g., the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) referredto as IMSI 1 and authentication credentials. Operation proceeds fromstep 3006 to step 3010.

In step 3010, the CBSD 1 102 transmits the registration request messageto the MVNO macro base station 108 using its second wireless interfaceand the antennas assigned to communicating with the MVNO network usingthe frequency spectrum of the MVNO network. The registration requestmessage is transmitted over the wireless communication link 134.Operation proceeds from step 3010 to step 3012.

In step 3012, the MVNO macro base station, e.g., eNodeB, 108 receivesand processes the registration request message to register the CBSD 1102. The CBSD 1 102 appears to the MVNO macro base station as a userequipment device. In some embodiments, as part of registering the CBSD 1102 with the MVNO network, the MVNO macro base station generates andsends a registration request message to the MVNO network core registrar111 over wired communications link 132 which connects the macro basestation 108 to the MVNO network core. The MVNO network core registrarmay be, and in most embodiments is, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). TheHSS uses the information contained in the registration request, e.g.,the CBSD 1 102 IMSI 1 and authentication credentials, to authenticateand register the CBSD 1 102 with the MVNO network. Operation proceedsstep 3012 to step 3014.

In step 3014, the MVNO macro base station 108 generates a registrationresponse message 3016. The registration response message is registrationresponse message indicating successful authentication when the MVNOnetwork was able to successfully register the CBSD 1 102. Theregistration response message indicates a registration failure when theMVNO network is unable to successfully authenticate and register theCBSD 1 102. In this example, the MVNO network is able to successfullyregister CBSD 1 102 and the registration response message containsinformation indicating successful registration. Operation proceeds fromstep 3014 to step 3018.

In step 3018, the MVNO macro base station 108 sends/transmits theregistration response message to CBSD 1 102 via the wirelesscommunication link 134 which is operated using the MVNO radio frequencyspectrum. Operation proceeds from step 3018 to step 3020.

In step 3020, the CBSD 1 102 receives and processes, the registrationresponse message which in this example indicates the successfulregistration of the CBSD 1 102 with the MVNO network. The CBSD 1 102uses the wireless receiver of its second wireless interface to receivethe registration response. The antennas assigned to the group tocommunicate with the MVNO network at the frequency spectrum of the MVNOnetwork are used to receive the registration response message over thewireless communications link 134. At this time, the CBSD 1 102 isregistered with the MVNO network and appears to the MVNO network as auser equipment device even though it is a non-mobile fixed CBSD devicein the CBRS network. That is the CBSD device is a stationary device whenin an active mode or operation. Operation proceeds from step 3020 tostep 3022.

In step 3022, CBSD 2 104 generates a registration request message 3024to register with the MVNO network using information contained in its SIMcard, e.g., the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) referredto as IMSI 2 and authentication credentials. Operation proceeds fromstep 3022 to step 3026.

In step 3026, the CBSD 2 104 transmits the registration request messageto the MVNO macro base station 108 using its second wireless interfaceand the antennas assigned to communicating with the MVNO network usingthe frequency spectrum of the MVNO network. The registration requestmessage is transmitted over the wireless communication link 136illustrated in FIG. 2. Operation proceeds from step 3026 to step 3028.

In step 3028, the MVNO macro base station, e.g., eNodeB, 108 receivesand processes the registration request message to register the CBSD 2104. The CBSD 2 104 appears to the MVNO macro base station as a userequipment device. In some embodiments, as part of registering the CBSD 2104 with the MVNO network, the MVNO macro base station generates andsends a registration request message to the MVNO network core registrar111 over wired communications link 132 which connects the macro basestation 108 to the MVNO network core 110. The MVNO network coreregistrar 111 may be, and in most embodiments is, a Home SubscriberServer (HSS). The HSS uses the information contained in the registrationrequest, e.g., the CBSD 2 104 IMSI 2 and authentication credentials, toauthenticate and register the CBSD 2 104 with the MVNO network.Operation proceeds step 3028 to step 3030.

In step 3030, the MVNO macro base station 108 generates a registrationresponse message 3032. The registration response message is aregistration response message indicating successful authentication whenthe MVNO network is able to successfully register the CBSD 2 104. Theregistration response message indicates a registration failure when theMVNO network is unable to successfully authenticate and register theCBSD 2 104. In this example, the MVNO network is able to successfullyregister the CBSD 2 104 and the registration response message containsinformation indicating successful registration. Operation proceeds fromstep 3030 to step 3034.

In step 3034, the MVNO macro base station 108 sends the registrationresponse message to CBSD 2 104 via the wireless communication link 136illustrated in FIG. 2 which is operated using the MVNO radio frequencyspectrum. Operation proceeds from step 3034 to step 3036.

In step 3036, the CBSD 2 104 receives and processes, the registrationresponse message which in this example indicates the successfulregistration of the CBSD 2 104 with the MVNO network. The CBSD 2 104uses the wireless receiver of the second wireless interface to receivethe registration response. The antennas assigned to the group tocommunicate with the MVNO network at the frequency spectrum of the MVNOnetwork are used to receive the registration response message over thewireless communications link 136. At this time, the CBSD 2 104 isregistered with the MVNO network and appears to the MVNO network as auser equipment device even though it is a non-mobile fixed CBSD devicein the CBRS network. Operation proceeds from step 3036 to step 3038.

In step 3038, CBSD 2 104 generates a registration request message 3040for registering with the CBSD operator network core registrar 114. Insome embodiments, the CBSD operator network core registrar 114 is a HomeSubscriber Server. Operation proceeds from step 3038 to step 3042.

In step 3042, CBSD 2 104 transmits the registration request message 340to the CBSD network registrar 114 in the CBSD operator network core 112over communications link 128 via its network interface, e.g., networkinterface 405. Operation proceeds from step 3042 to step 3044.

In step 3044, the CBSD operator network core registrar 114 receives theCBSD 2 104 registration request message 3040 from CBSD 2 104. Operationproceeds from step 3044 to step 3046.

In step 3046, the CBSD operator network core registrar 114 processes theregistration request message 3040 from CBSD 2 104 and successfullyregisters the CBSD 2 with the CBSD operator network core 112. Operationproceeds from step 3046 to step 3048.

In step 3048, the CBSD operator network core registrar 114 generates aregistration request response message 350 indicating that CBSD 2 104 hasbeen successfully registered with the CBSD operator network core 112.Operation proceeds from step 3048 to step 3052.

In step 3052, the CBSD operator network core registrar 114 transmits theregistration request response message 3050 to CBSD 2 104 viacommunications link 129. Operation proceeds from step 3052 to step 3054.

In step 3054, the CBSD 2 104 receives the registration request responsemessage 3050 indicating that CBSD 2 104 has been successfully registeredwith the CBSD operator network core 112. The registration responserequest message 350 is received by the CBSD 2 104 network interface viacommunication link 129. Operation proceeds from step 3054 to step 3056.

It is to be understood that the sequence of the registration of the CBSD1 102 with the MVNO network, the CBSD 2 104 with the MVNO network andthe CBSD 2 104 with the CBSD operator network core is only exemplary andthat the order of the registrations is not important. The registrationsmay occur in a different order. It is also to be understood that theregistrations may occur in parallel and need occur serially as shown.

In step 3056, the CBSD 1 102 initiates device to device (D2D)communications with CBSD 2 104 using the MVNO network frequency spectrumsince CBSD 1 does not have a backhaul connection. CBSD 1 102 generates arequest 3058 for resources, e.g., Physical Resource Block (PRB)resources, for a D2D connection with CBSD 2 104. Operation proceeds fromstep 3056 to step 3060.

In step 3060, CBSD 1 102 transmits using its second wireless interfaceto the MVNO macro base station 108 over wireless communications link 134the request for resources for D2D message 3058. Operation proceeds fromstep 3060 to step 3062.

In step 3062, the MVNO macro base station 108, receives the request forresources for D2D communications message 3058. Operation proceeds fromstep 3062 to step 3064.

In step 3064, the MVNO macro base station 108 assigns requiredresources, e.g., PRB resources, for the device to device communicationsbetween CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 and generates a response to requestfor resources messages 3066 indicating that resources have been assignedand/or allocated in response to the request for resources 3058. In someembodiments, the response message 3066 includes information on theamount of resources, e.g., PRB resources, which have been assignedand/or allocated. Operation proceeds from step 364 to step 368.

In step 3068, MVNO macro base station 108 transmits the response torequest for resources message 3066 to the CBSD 1 102 in response to therequest message 358 over wireless communications link 134. Operationproceeds from step 3068 to step 3070.

In step 3070, the CBSD 1 102 receives the response to request forresources message 3066 over wireless communications link 134 using itssecond wireless interface. With the resources of the MVNO network forthe device to device communications between CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104assigned, the CBSD 1 102 establishes the device to device wirelesscommunications link or channel 138 between CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104.Operation proceeds from step 3070 to step 3072.

In step 3072, CBSD 1 102 generates a backhaul capacity reservationrequest message 3074 in response to the receipt of response message3066. In some embodiments, the backhaul capacity reservation requestmessage 3074 includes the optimum and/or an estimated amount of backhaulcapacity to reserve for CBSD 1 102. In some embodiments part ofgenerating the backhaul capacity reservation requests includingdetermining one or more of the following: the number of user equipmentdevices (UEs) which are to be serviced by CBSD 1 102, the UE categoryfor each UE to be serviced, type of each UE to be serviced (phone,sensor, mobile device type, etc.), the UE traffic type for each of theUEs, each UE's data bearer, time indicator for when service is to beprovided (time of day, day of week, busy hour, normal hours, work hours,weekend). The determined information may, and in some embodiments is,included in the backhaul capacity reservation request message 3074.Operation proceeds from step 3072 to step 3076.

In step 3076, the CBSD 1 102 transmits to CBSD 2 102 over the D2Dcommunications link 138, the backhaul capacity reservation requestmessage 3074. The CBSD 1 102 uses its second wireless interface totransmit the backhaul capacity reservation request message 3074.Operation proceeds from step 376 to step 3078.

In step 3078, the CBSD 2 104 receives the backhaul capacity reservationrequest message 3074 from CBSD 1 102 using its second wirelesscommunications interface. Operation proceeds from step 3078 to step3080.

In step 3080, CBSD 2 104 in response to receiving the backhaul capacityreservation request message, CBSD 2 104 determines the minimum amount ofbackhaul it can reserve for the CBSD 1 102 backhaul data. CBSD 2 104generates a backhaul reservation response message 3082. In someembodiments, the backhaul reservation response message 3082 includes theamount of backhaul capacity reserved for CBSD 1 102. In someembodiments, the backhaul reservation response message 382, is abackhaul capacity reservation accept message with the amount of backhaulcapacity reserved for CBSD 1 102. In some embodiments, the backhaulreservation response message 3082 is merely an acceptance message whichindicates that the optimum amount of backhaul capacity requested by CBSD1 102 included in the backhaul reservation request message is beingreserved by CBSD 2 104 for CBSD 1 102 backhaul.

In some embodiments, CBSD 2 104 makes a determination of whether theminimum amount of backhaul capacity that can be reserved for CBSD 1 102is over a specified limit which will allow the CBSD 1 102 to operateusing the CBSD 1 102 to CBSD 2 104 device to device wirelesscommunications link 138 for its backhaul communications with SAS 1 106and the CBSD operator network core 112. When the determination is thatthe minimum amount of backhaul capacity that can be reserved is notabove the threshold then the CBSD 2 104 generates a response message3082 which does not accept or denies the backhaul reservation request.When the determination is that the minimum backhaul capacity that can bereserved is above the threshold than the CBSD 2 104 generates a backhaulreservation response message 3082 accepting the CBSD 1 102 backhaulreservation request which includes the amount of backhaul capacity beingreserved for CBSD 1 102. Operation proceeds from step 380 to step 3084.

In step 3084, CBSD 2 104 transmits to CBSD 1 102, the backhaulreservation response message 3082 using its second wireless interfaceover the device to device communications link 138. Operation proceedsfrom step 3084 to step 3086.

In step 386, CBSD 1 102 receives the backhaul reservation responsemessage 3082 using its second wireless interface. In this example, thebackhaul reservation response message 3082 is an acceptance messageindicating the amount of backhaul capacity reserved by CBSD 2 104 forCBSD 1 102. The device to device communications link 138 is nowestablished and actively used to transmit and receive signaling and datamessages from CBSD 1 102 to the SAS 1 106 and to the CBSD operatornetwork core via CBSD 2 104. Operation proceeds from step 3086 to step3088.

In step 3088, the CBSD 1 102 uses the device to device communicationslink 138 to communicate to register with the CBSD operator network coreregistrar 112. Operation proceeds from step 3088 to step 3090 shown onFIG. 3B.

In step 3090, UE 1 116 generates and transmits a request for videocontent message 3092 to CBSD 1 102 over wireless communications link 141using the CBRS frequency spectrum. Operation proceeds from step 3090 tostep 3094.

In step 3094, CBSD 1 102 receives the video content request message 3092from UE 1 116 using its first wireless interface which supportscommunications using the CBRS assigned frequency spectrum. In step 3094in addition to receiving the video content request from UE 1 116, CBSD 1102 generates a video content request message 3096 based on the receivedvideo content request message 3092 and transmits the video contentrequest message 3096 to CBSD 2 104 over the device to devicecommunications link 138. Operation proceeds from step 3094 to step 3098.

In step 3098, CBSD 2 104 receives and processes the video contentrequest message 3096 from CBSD 1 102. CBSD 2 104 receives the videocontent request message 3096 using its second wireless interface whichoperates on the frequency spectrum of the MVNO network. In processingthe received video content request message 3096, the CBSD 2 104determines that the message is destined for the video content server 142and is to transmitted to the CBSD operator network core 112 to which thevideo content server 142 is connected via the wired communications link128 using the backhaul capacity reserved for CBSD 1 102. CBSD 2 104generates video content request message 3100 based on received videocontent request 3096 and transmits it to the video content server 142via communications link 129 and CBSD operator core network 110. In step3102, CBSD 2 104 also generates and transmits requests for services fromthe UEs it is serving in CBRS network cell 128 such as for example UE 4and UE 5. These requests are represented as message 3102. These messagesare transmitted using the backhaul capacity which was not reserved forCBSD 1 or using backhaul capacity that was reserved for CBSD 1 but isnot currently being used by CBSD 1. Operation proceeds from step 3098 tostep 3104.

In step 3104, one or more devices in the CBSD operator network corereceives the request messages 3102 and 3100 from CBSD 2 104 and directsthe messages to their destination e.g., the video content server 142 inthe case video content message 3100 and the network services devices 115in connection with request 3102. Operation proceeds from step 3104 tostep 3108.

In step 3108, the video content server 142 receives the video contentrequest message 3100 from the CBSD operator network core viacommunications link 143. In response to receiving the video contentrequest message 3100, the video content server 142 generates andtransmits video content message 3110 to CBSD operator network coredevices which includes at least a portion of the requested videocontent. The CBSD operator network core devices, e.g., services gateway,then transmits video content message 3110 to CBSD 2 104 using thebackhaul capacity reserved for CBSD 1 102. The CBSD operator networkcore network services device 115 generates and transmits a responsemessage 3118 to the request for services message 3102. The responsesmessages are communicated over communications link 129. The responsemessage 3118 is transmitted using backhaul resources which have not beenreserved for CBSD 1 102 or resources which are not currently being usedby CBSD 1 102. Operation proceeds to step 3120.

In step 3120, the CBSD 2 104 receives the response message 3110 and3118. With respect to response message 3118, the CBSD 2 104 sends theresponse message to the UE device or devices which requested the servicesuch as for example UE 4 122 or UE 5 124 via wireless communicationslinks 123 and 125 respectively using its first wireless interface whichcommunicates using CBRS network assigned frequency spectrum. Withrespect to response message 3110, the CBSD 2 104 generates requestedvideo content response message 3122 based on the received video contentresponse message 3110 and transmits the video content response message3122 to CBSD 1 102 using the device to device wireless communicationslink 138. The message 3122 is transmitted using the second wirelessinterface of CBSD 2 104 which communicates using the frequency spectrumof the MVNO network. Operation proceeds from step 3120 to step 3124.

In step 3124, the CBSD 1 102 receives the requested video contentmessage 3122 and generates requested video content message 3126 based onrequested video content message 3122. In step 3124, CBSD 1 102 transmitsthe requested video content message 3122 to UE 1 116 via wirelesscommunications link 141 using CBRS assigned spectrum. The CBSD 1 102uses its first wireless interface to transmit the message 3126.Operation proceeds from step 3124 to step 3126.

In step 3126, UE 1 116 receives and processes the requested videocontent message 3126 extracting and displaying the requested videocontent on the display UE 1 116. In this way CBSD 1 102 has been able todeliver requested video content via the CBSD operator network core 112to UE 1 116 by using the wireless device to device connection to theCBSD 2 104 and the backhaul capacity CBSD 1 102 reserved with CBSD 2104. Arrow 3200 represents the data being transferred through device todevice connection between CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 using the MVNOnetwork frequency spectrum. Arrow 3202 represents the backhaul databeing transferred between CBSD 2 104 and the CBSD operator network core110. It includes both CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 backhaul data which isbeing transferred.

Steps 3130, 3134, 3136, 3138, 3142 and 3144 are optional and areimplemented during the usage of the device to device connection todetermine and adjust the resources assigned by the MVNO macro basestation for utilization by the device to device connection between CBSD1 102 and CBSD 2 104.

In step 3130, CBSD 1 102 measures the resource utilization of the deviceto device connection between CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104, e.g., bydetermining the PRB utilization percentage of the device to devicecommunications connection. In step 3130 the CBSD 1 102 also generatesreport D2D resource utilization message 3132 which includes the measuredD2D resource utilization. Operation proceeds from step 3130 to step3134.

In step 3134, the CBSD 1 102 transmits the report D2D resourceutilization message 3132 to MVNO macro base station 108 usingcommunications link 134. Operation proceeds from step 3134 to step 3136.

In step 3136, the MVNO macro base station 108 receives the report D2Dresource utilization message 3132. Operation proceeds from step 3136 tostep 3138.

In step 3138, MVNO macro base station 108 adjusts the amount ofresources assigned to the D2D connection for example increasing ordecreasing the amount of PRB assigned to the D2D based on the reportedD2D resource utilization, e.g., PRB resource utilization percentage. TheMVNO macro base station then may, and in some embodiments does, generatea response message 3140 to the D2D utilization report message indicatingamount of resources assigned to the D2D connection or the change in theamount of resources assigned to the D2D connection. Operation proceedsfrom step 3138 to step 3142.

In step 3142, the MVNO macro base station 108, transmits overcommunications link 134 the response D2D utilization report message 3140to CBSD 1 102. Operation proceeds from step 3142 to step 3144.

In step 3144, the CBSD 1 102 receives and processes the response D2Dutilization report message 3140. Optional steps 3130, 3134, 3136, 3138,3142 and 3144 are typically repeated while the D2D connection remainsactive so that the MVNO resources are not wasted and the D2D connectionhas the appropriate level of resources it requires. Also, in someembodiments, the CBSD 1 102 will generate and send backhaul capacityreservation messages to CBSD 2 104 to dynamically inform CBSD 2 104 ofthe optimum and/or estimated amount of backhaul capacity to reserve forCBSD 1 102. CBSD 2 104 will generate a response to the backhaul capacityreservation messages with a response message accepting or denying therequest. When the request is accept the response message typicallyincludes the amount of backhaul capacity reserved for CSBD 1 102 by CBSD2 104.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an exemplary Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice (CBSD) 400 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The CBSDdevice 400 includes the capabilities of a CBSD as defined by the FederalCommunications Commission's Rules with Regard to Commercial Operationsin the 3550-3650 MHz Band. Exemplary CBSD device 400 includes asubscriber identification module (SIM) 460, also known as a SIM card, afirst wireless interface 404, a second wireless interface 464, a networkinterface 405, e.g., a wired or optical interface, a processor 406,e.g., a CPU, an assembly of hardware components 408, e.g., an assemblyof circuits, and I/O interface 410 and memory 412 coupled together via abus 409 over which the various elements may interchange data andinformation. CBSD device 400 further includes a speaker 452, a display453, switches 456, keypad 458 and mouse 459 coupled to I/O interface410, via which the various I/O devices (452, 454, 456, 458, 459) maycommunicate with other elements (404, 406, 408, 412) of the CBSD device400. Network interface 405 includes a receiver 478 and a transmitter480. In some embodiments, receiver 478 and transmitter 480 are part of atransceiver 484. Wireless interface 404 includes a wireless receiver 438and a wireless transmitter 440. In some embodiments, receiver 438 andtransmitter 440 are part of a transceiver 424. In various embodiments,wireless interface 404 includes a plurality of wireless receivers and aplurality of wireless transmitters. Wireless receiver 438 is coupled toa plurality of receive antennas (receive antenna 1 439, . . . , receiveantenna M 441), via which CBSD device 400 can receive wireless signalfrom other wireless communications devices including a second wirelesscommunications device, e.g., a UE device. Wireless transmitter 440 iscoupled to a plurality of wireless transmit antennas (transmit antenna 1443, . . . , transmit antenna N 445) via which the CBSD 400 can transmitsignals to other wireless communications devices including a secondwireless communications device, e.g., a UE device.

Wireless interface 464 includes a wireless receiver 470 and a wirelesstransmitter 474. In some embodiments, receiver 470 and transmitter 472are part of a transceiver 468. In various embodiments, wirelessinterface 464 includes a plurality of wireless receivers and a pluralityof wireless transmitters. Wireless receiver 470 is coupled to aplurality of receive antennas (receive antenna 1 473, . . . , receiveantenna M 474), via which CBSD device 400 can receive wireless signalfrom other wireless communications devices including a second wirelesscommunications device, e.g., another CBSD device, a LTE macro basestation (e.g., eNodeB), etc. Wireless transmitter 464 is coupled to aplurality of wireless transmit antennas (transmit antenna 1 475, . . . ,transmit antenna N 476) via which the CBSD 400 can transmit signals toother wireless communications devices including a second wirelesscommunications device, e.g., another CBSD device, a LTE macro basestation (e.g., eNodeB), etc.

In some embodiments, the first wireless interface is assigned to servicecommunications between the CBSD and user equipment devices in itscoverage area while the second wireless interface is assigned to servicedevice to device communications between the CBSD 400 and another CBSD.In some embodiments, only a single wireless interface is utilized. Insuch cases, the single wireless interface includes a plurality ofantennas with at least one of plurality of antennas being assigned to afirst group of antennas and at least one of the plurality of antennasbeing assigned to a second group of antennas. The first group ofantennas being used or reserved to provide communications between theCBSD 400 and the UEs in its coverage areas and second group of antennasbeing used or reserved to be used for providing device to devicecommunications.

Memory 412 includes an assembly of component 414, e.g., an assembly ofsoftware components, and data/information 416. Data/information 416includes UE device information corresponding to a plurality of userequipment devices (UE device A information 417, . . . , UE device Ninformation 419 where A to N are the UE devices being serviced by theCBSD for example CBSD 1 102 services UE 1 . . . UE 3 as shown in FIG. 1.Data/information 416 may also include device to device configurationinformation, estimated and/or backhaul capacity requirementsinformation, estimated D2D resource requirements information, measuredD2D resource utilization information and reports.

The SIM card 460 is an integrated circuit that securely stores aninternational mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its relatedkey, which are used to identify and authenticate the CBSD. Through theuse of the SIM card 460 the CBSD appears as a mobile user equipmentdevice (UE) to a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) network. CBSD 1102 and CBSD 2 104 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 may be, and in some embodimentsare, implemented in accordance with CBSD 400. In some embodiments, CBSD1 102 which does not have a backhaul connection does not include anetwork interface or in some embodiments the network interface is notconnection to a communications link.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of an exemplary user equipment (UE) device 500 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. UE device 500 is, e.g., amobile device such as a cell phone, a smart phone, wireless tablet orwireless notebook. UE device 500, in some embodiments, includes LongTerm Evolution (LTE), e.g., 4G LTE, mobile device capabilities.Exemplary UE device 500 includes a wireless interface 504, a processor506, e.g., a CPU, an assembly of hardware components 508, e.g., anassembly of circuits, and I/O interface 510 and memory 512 coupledtogether via a bus 509 over which the various elements may interchangedata and information. UE device 500 further includes a microphone 550,camera 551, speaker 552, a display 553, e.g., a touch screen display,switches 556, keypad 558 and mouse 559 coupled to I/O interface 510, viawhich the various I/O devices (550, 551, 552, 554, 556, 558, 559) maycommunicate with other elements (504, 506, 508, 512) of the UE device.Network interface 505 includes a receiver 578 and a transmitter 580. Insome embodiments, receiver 578 and transmitter 580 are part of atransceiver 584. Wireless interface 504 includes a wireless receiver 538and a wireless transmitter 540. In some embodiments, receiver 538 andtransmitter 540 are part of a transceiver 524. In various embodiments,wireless interface 504 includes a plurality of wireless receivers and aplurality of wireless transmitters. Wireless receiver 538 is coupled toone or more receive antennas (receive antenna 1 539, . . . , receiveantenna M 541), via which UE device 500 can receive wireless signalsfrom other wireless communications devices including, e.g., a CBSDdevice such as CBSD 400. Wireless transmitter 540 is coupled to one ormore wireless transmit antennas (transmit antenna 1 543, . . . ,transmit antenna N 545) via which the UE device 500 can transmit signalsto other wireless communications device including a first wirelesscommunications device, e.g., a CBSD 400. Memory 512 includes an assemblyof components 514, e.g., an assembly of software components, anddata/information 516.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an exemplary Spectrum Access System (SAS) device600 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The SAS 600 includes thecapabilities of a SAS as defined by the Federal CommunicationsCommission's Rules with Regard to Commercial Operations in the 3550-3650MHz Band. Exemplary SAS device 600 includes a network interface 605,e.g., a wired or optical interface, a processor 606, e.g., a CPU, anassembly of hardware components 608, e.g., an assembly of circuits, andI/O interface 610 and memory 612 coupled together via a bus 609 overwhich the various elements may interchange data and information. SAS 600further includes a speaker 652, a display 653, switches 656, keypad 658and mouse 659 coupled to I/O interface 610, via which the various I/Odevices (652, 654, 656, 658, 659) may communicate with other elements(606, 608, 612) of the SAS 600. Network interface 605 includes areceiver 678 and a transmitter 680. The network interface 605 istypically used to communicate with other SAS devices and CBSD devices.In some embodiments, receiver 678 and transmitter 680 are part of atransceiver 684. Memory 612 includes an assembly of component 614, e.g.,an assembly of software components, and data/information 616.Data/information 616 includes CBSD device information corresponding to aplurality of CBSD devices (CBSD device 1 102 information, . . . , CBSDdevice 2 104 information). In some embodiments, SAS 1 106 is implementedin accordance with SAS 600.

FIG. 7 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 700 which maybe included in an exemplary CBSD device, e.g., exemplary CBSD 400 ofFIG. 4, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The components inthe assembly of components 700 can, and in some embodiments are,implemented fully in hardware within a processor, e.g., processor 406,e.g., as individual circuits. The components in the assembly ofcomponents 700 can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully inhardware within the assembly of hardware components 408, e.g., asindividual circuits corresponding to the different components. In otherembodiments some of the components are implemented, e.g., as circuits,within processor 406 with other components being implemented, e.g., ascircuits within assembly of components 408, external to and coupled tothe processor 406. As should be appreciated the level of integration ofcomponents on the processor and/or with some components being externalto the processor may be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather thanbeing implemented as circuits, all or some of the components may beimplemented in software and stored in the memory 412 of the CBSD device400, with the components controlling operation of CBSD device 400 toimplement the functions corresponding to the components when thecomponents are executed by a processor e.g., processor 406. In some suchembodiments, the assembly of components 700 is included in the memory412 as assembly of software components 414. In still other embodiments,various components in assembly of components 700 are implemented as acombination of hardware and software, e.g., with another circuitexternal to the processor providing input to the processor which thenunder software control operates to perform a portion of a component'sfunction.

When implemented in software the components include code, which whenexecuted by a processor, e.g., processor 406, configure the processor toimplement the function corresponding to the component. In embodimentswhere the assembly of components 700 is stored in the memory 412, thememory 412 is a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, forcausing at least one computer, e.g., processor 406, to implement thefunctions to which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 7 control and/or configure the CBSD device 400 orelements therein such as the processor 406, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 700 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 700 includes a control routines component 702,message generator component 704, device to device connection component706, network core registration component 708, MVNO registrationcomponent 710, backhaul capacity resource estimator component 712, D2Dresource utilization component 714.

The control routines component 702 is configured to control operation ofthe CBSD. The message generator component 704 is configured to generatemessages for transmission to other devices including requests, responseand report messages, e.g., registration request messages, backhaulreservation request messages, resource request messages, device todevice setup, connection and teardown message, backhaul reservationresponse messages, D2D resource utilization report messages, commandmessages to be sent to UE, messages to be sent to SAS.

The device to device connection component 706 controls the CBSD toestablish, maintain, and tear down device to device connections such asthe device to device connection between CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104. Thenetwork core registration component 708 registers the CBSD with the CBSDoperator network core. MVNO registration component 710 registers theCBSD with the MVNO network, e.g., via a macro base station, e.g., eNodeB, using SIM card information. The backhaul capacity resource estimatorcomponent 712 estimates the amount of backhaul to be reserved by a CBSDthat is utilizing a second CBSD's backhaul to communication with aservice provider. D2D resource utilization measurement component 714measures the amount of resources being utilized by the D2D connection,e.g., by measuring and/or determining the D2D PRB utilizationpercentage.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 800 which maybe included in an exemplary user equipment (UE) device, e.g., UE device500 of FIG. 5, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Thecomponents in the assembly of components 800 can, and in someembodiments are, implemented fully in hardware within a processor, e.g.,processor 506, e.g., as individual circuits. The components in theassembly of components 800 can, and in some embodiments are, implementedfully in hardware within the assembly of hardware components 508, e.g.,as individual circuits corresponding to the different components. Inother embodiments some of the components are implemented, e.g., ascircuits, within processor 506 with other components being implemented,e.g., as circuits within assembly of components 508, external to andcoupled to the processor 506. As should be appreciated the level ofintegration of components on the processor and/or with some componentsbeing external to the processor may be one of design choice.Alternatively, rather than being implemented as circuits, all or some ofthe components may be implemented in software and stored in the memory512 of the UE device 500, with the components controlling operation ofUE device 500 to implement the functions corresponding to the componentswhen the components are executed by a processor e.g., processor 506. Insome such embodiments, the assembly of components 800 is included in thememory 512 as assembly of software components 514. In still otherembodiments, various components in assembly of components 800 areimplemented as a combination of hardware and software, e.g., withanother circuit external to the processor providing input to theprocessor which then under software control operates to perform aportion of a component's function. When implemented in software thecomponents include code, which when executed by a processor, e.g.,processor 506, configure the processor to implement the functioncorresponding to the component. In embodiments where the assembly ofcomponents 800 is stored in the memory 512, the memory 512 is a computerprogram product comprising a computer readable medium comprising code,e.g., individual code for each component, for causing at least onecomputer, e.g., processor 506, to implement the functions to which thecomponents correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 8 control and/or configure the UE device 500 orelements therein such as the processor 506, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 800 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 800 includes a control routines component 802 anda message generator component 804. The control routines component 802 isconfigured to control operation of the UE. The message generatorcomponent 804 is configured to generate messages for transmission toCBSD devices, e.g. session connection requests, service requests such asfor example video content service requests, etc.

FIG. 9 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 900 which maybe included in an exemplary SAS device, e.g., exemplary SAS 600 of FIG.6, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The components in theassembly of components 900 can, and in some embodiments are, implementedfully in hardware within a processor, e.g., processor 606, e.g., asindividual circuits. The components in the assembly of components 900can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully in hardware withinthe assembly of hardware components 608, e.g., as individual circuitscorresponding to the different components. In other embodiments some ofthe components are implemented, e.g., as circuits, within processor 606with other components being implemented, e.g., as circuits withinassembly of components 608, external to and coupled to the processor606. As should be appreciated the level of integration of components onthe processor and/or with some components being external to theprocessor may be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather than beingimplemented as circuits, all or some of the components may beimplemented in software and stored in the memory 612 of the SAS 600,with the components controlling operation of SAS 600 to implement thefunctions corresponding to the components when the components areexecuted by a processor e.g., processor 606. In some such embodiments,the assembly of components 900 is included in the memory 612 as assemblyof software components 614. In still other embodiments, variouscomponents in assembly of components 900 are implemented as acombination of hardware and software, e.g., with another circuitexternal to the processor providing input to the processor which thenunder software control operates to perform a portion of a component'sfunction.

When implemented in software the components include code, which whenexecuted by a processor, e.g., processor 606, configure the processor toimplement the function corresponding to the component. In embodimentswhere the assembly of components 900 is stored in the memory 612, thememory 612 is a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, forcausing at least one computer, e.g., processor 606, to implement thefunctions to which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 9 control and/or configure the SAS 600 or elementstherein such as the processor 606, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 900 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 900 includes a control routines component 902, amessage generator component 904, an electromagnetic interferencedetermination component 906, and a power determination for active CBSDcomponent. The control routines component 902 is configured to controloperation of the SAS. The message generator component 904 is configuredto generate messages for transmission to CBSD devices, e.g., power downinstruction messages. The electromagnetic interference determinationcomponent is configured to determine actual or potential electromagneticinterference to be caused by wireless, e.g., radio transmission fromactive CBSD devices or CBSDs devices which are to become active. Thepower management component 908 is configured to manage powertransmission levels to maximize usage of spectrum while minimizinginterference. The power management component 908 determines the powertransmission level reductions for CBSDs when a new CBSD is activated andadded to the CBRS network. The spectrum management component 910 isconfigured to manage the allocation of frequency spectrum in the CBRSnetwork.

FIG. 10, which comprises the combination of FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrates an exemplary communications method 1000 including steps of amethod operating a first CBSD and steps of operating a second CBSD. FIG.10A illustrates the steps of the first part of the exemplary method 1000in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10Billustrates the steps of the second part of the exemplary method 1000 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

For explanatory purposes the exemplary method 1000 will be explained inconnection with the exemplary communications system 100 and 100′illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 although it should be understand that themethod may be implemented using other systems and other systemconfigurations then those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The method 1000 shown in FIG. 10 will now be discussed in detail. Themethod starts in start step 1002 shown on FIG. 10A with the devices insystem 100 being initialized and becoming operational. Operationproceeds from step 1002 to step 1004.

In step 1004, a first Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD),e.g., CBSD 1 102 is operated to send a first registration signal to afirst base station of a wireless network service provider e.g., LTEmacro network service provider, to register with the wireless networkservice provider. The first registration signal may be, and in mostembodiments is, a signal to register the first CBSD as a mobile servicesubscriber in the wireless network of the wireless network serviceprovider. Operation proceeds from step 1004 to step 1006.

In step 1006, a second CBSD, e.g., CBSD 2 104, is operated to send asecond registration signal to the base station, e.g., eNodeB basestation 108) of the wireless network service provider, e.g., LTE macronetwork service provider, to register with the wireless network serviceprovider. The second registration signal may be, and in most embodimentsis, a signal to register the second CBSD as a mobile service subscriberin the wireless network of wireless network service provider. In theexemplary embodiment, the first and second CBSDs each include aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, the first CBSD appearing as afirst UE to the wireless network and the second CBSD appearing as asecond UE to the wireless network. The first and second registrationsignals including information included in the SIM card included in thefirst and second CBSDs respectively. The SIM card information includingan IMSI identifier and/or authentication credentials. In this way, theCBSDs use their respective SIM cards to register with the wirelessnetwork service provider and to appear as UEs to the wireless networkservice provider. Operation proceeds from step 1006 to step 1008.

In step 1008, the first CBSD is operated to send a first D2D resourcerequest message to the first base station to request wireless D2Dcommunications resources for communicating with the second CBSD. Invarious embodiments, the first D2D resource request message requests afirst amount of wireless D2D communications resources, said first amountof wireless D2D communications resources being based on an expectedamount of data to be transmitted over the backhaul of the second CBSD onbehalf of user equipment devices serviced by the first CBSD during afirst period of time. Operation proceeds from step 1008 to step 1010.

In step 1010, the first CBSD is operated to establish a wireless deviceto device (D2D) communications link with the second CBSD using D2Dwireless communications resources. Operations proceed from step 1010 tostep 1012.

In step 1012, the first CBSD is operated to send, via the D2Dcommunications link, a first backhaul resource reservation signal to thesecond CBSD to reserve a first portion of a communications backhaulextending from the second CBSD to a service provider communicationnetwork. Operation proceeds from step 1012 to step 1014.

In step 1014, the first CBSD is operated to communicate data for a userequipment device (UE) being served by the first CBSD to said serviceprovider communications network via said D2D communications link and thecommunications backhaul extending from the second CBSD. Operationsproceed from step 1014 to step 1016.

In step 1016, the first CBSD is operated to receive, via the D2Dcommunications link, a backhaul resource grant signal from the secondCBSD indicating that the first portion of the second CBSD's backhaul hasbeen reserved for use by first CBSD. Operation proceeds from step 1016via connection node A 1018 to step 1020 shown on FIG. 10B.

In step 1020, the second CBSD is operated to communicate datacorresponding to a UE served by the first CBSD and data corresponding toa UE served by the second CBSD over said second CBSD's backhaul.Operation proceeds from step 1020 to step 1022.

In step 1022, the first CBSD is operated to send a second D2D resourcerequest message to the first base station to request wireless D2Dcommunications resources for communicating with the second CBSD during asecond period of time, said second D2D resource request messagerequesting a second amount of D2D communications resources differentthan said first D2D resource request message. Operation proceeds fromstep 1022 to step 1024.

In step 1024, the first CBSD is operated to send, via the D2Dcommunications link, a second backhaul resource reservation signal tothe second CBSD to reserve a second portion of the communicationsbackhaul extending from the second CBSD to the service providercommunication network, said second portion being of a different sizethan said first portion. Operation proceeds from step 1024 to step 1026.

In step 1026 the first CBSD is operated to communicate with a SpectrumAccess System (SAS), e.g., SAS 1 106, via the D2D communications linkand the backhaul of the second CBSD. Operation proceeds from step 1026to step 1028.

In step 1028, the process is repeated for additional time period whenCBSD 1 needs backhaul capacity that is to be provided by CBSD 2.

Various additional features and/or aspects of the invention will now bediscussed. One or more of the various features and/or aspects of theinvention may be included in various embodiments of the invention.

The wireless network with which the first CBSD and second CBSD registermay be, and in the exemplary embodiment is, an LTE wireless network andthe D2D communications link that is established between the first CBSDand the second CBSD is an LTE D2D communications link. The first CBSDdoes not have a wired backhaul connection to the service providernetwork or the wireless service provider network. In some embodiments,CBSD 1 has a wired backhaul connection but the wireless backhaulconnection has failed.

In some embodiments of the exemplary method 1000 discussed above, thefirst CBSD includes a first set of antennas and a second set ofantennas. The method 1000 further includes using the first set ofantennas to receive and transmit signals to the base station, e.g., basestation 108, of the wireless network service provider and to the secondCBSD and using the second set of antennas for communications with userequipment devices served by the first CBSD such as for example UE 1 116,UE 2 118 and UE 3 120.

In some embodiments of the exemplary method 1000, the first CBSDcommunicates with the second CBSD using a first frequency band and thefirst CBSD communicates with user equipment devices served by the firstCBSD using a second frequency band which is different from the firstfrequency band. Additionally, the first frequency band may be, andtypically is, a licensed frequency band used by a macro base stationoperator and the first base station is a macro base station.

In some embodiments, the second CBSD similar to the first CBSD includesa first set of antennas and a second set of antennas. The second CBSDuses the first set of antennas to receive and transmit signals to thebase station of the wireless network service provider and to the firstCBSD and uses the second set of antennas for communications with userequipment devices served by the second CBSD, e.g., UE 4 122 and UE 5125. The second CBSD communicates with the first CBSD using the firstfrequency band and the second CBSD communicates with user equipmentdevices served by the second CBSD using a third frequency band which isdifferent from the first frequency band and in some embodiments is alsodifferent than the second frequency band. In some embodiments, the firstfrequency band is determined by the base station, e.g., base station108.

In various embodiments, the first base station is an LTE base stationand the D2D communications link is an LTE D2D communications link whichuses one or more physical resource blocks (PRBs) allocated by the firstbase station for the D2D communications link between the first CBSD andthe second CBSD.

In some embodiments, the second amount of D2D communications resourcesrequested in the second D2D resource request message in step 1024 andthe second portion of the communications backhaul requested by thesecond backhaul resource reservation signal in step 1026 are based uponan expected amount of traffic to be communicated over the backhaul ofthe second CBSD for user equipment devices served by the first CBSDduring the second period of time. In some embodiments, the second D2Dresource request message includes a D2D resource utilizationmeasurement, e.g., PRB resource utilization percentage, measured by thefirst CBSD. In some embodiments, the second portion of thecommunications backhaul requested by the second backhaul resourcereservation signal is based on expected amount of resources requiredbased on one or more of the following: number of UEs to be serviced bythe first CBSD, category of each of the UEs to be serviced by the firstCBSD, the type of traffic, the types of UEs to be serviced, the dayand/or time when the backhaul is to be provided, e.g., during ahistorically high traffic load time period or low traffic load timeperiod.

LIST OF EXEMPLARY NUMBERED METHOD EMBODIMENTS Method Embodiment 1

A communications method, the method comprising: operating a firstCitizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) to establish a wirelessdevice to device (D2D) communications link with a second CBSD using D2Dwireless communications resources; operating the first CBSD to send, viathe D2D communications link, a first backhaul resource reservationsignal to the second CBSD to reserve a first portion of a communicationsbackhaul extending from the second CBSD to a service providercommunication network; and operating the first CBSD to communicate datafor a user equipment device (UE) being served by the first CBSD to saidservice provider communications network via said D2D communications linkand the communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD.

Method Embodiment 2

The method of method embodiment 1, further comprising: prior toestablishing the wireless D2D link: i) operating the first CBSD to senda first registration signal to a first base station of a wirelessnetwork service provider (e.g., LTE macro network service provider) toregister with the wireless network service provider; and ii) operatingthe first CBSD to send a first D2D resource request message to the firstbase station to request wireless D2D communications resources forcommunicating with the second CBSD.

Method Embodiment 3

The method of method embodiment 2, further comprising: prior toestablishing the wireless D2D link operating the second CBSD to send asecond registration signal to the base station of the wireless networkservice provider (e.g., LTE macro network service provider) to registerwith the wireless network service provider.

Method Embodiment 4

The method of method embodiment 3, wherein the first registration signalis a signal to register the first CBSD as a mobile service subscriber inthe wireless network of the wireless network service provider; andwherein the second registration signal is a signal to register thesecond CBSD as a mobile service subscriber in the wireless network ofwireless network service provider.

Method Embodiment 5

The method of method embodiment 4, wherein the first and second CBSDseach include a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, the first CBSDappearing as a first UE to the wireless network and the second CBSDappearing as a second UE to the wireless network.

Method Embodiment 6

The method of method embodiment 5, wherein the wireless network is anLTE wireless network and the D2D communications link is an LTE D2Dcommunications link.

Method Embodiment 7

The method of method embodiment 2, wherein said first D2D resourcerequest message requests a first amount of wireless D2D communicationsresources, said first amount of wireless D2D communications resourcesbeing based on an expected amount of data to be transmitted over thebackhaul of the second CBSD on behalf of user equipment devices servicedby the first CBSD during a first period of time.

Method Embodiment 8

The method of method embodiment 7, further comprising: operating thefirst CBSD to receive, via the D2D communications link, a backhaulresource grant signal from the second CBSD indicating that the firstportion of the second CBSD's backhaul has been reserved for use by firstCBSD.

Method Embodiment 9

The method of method embodiment 8, further comprising: operating thesecond CBSD to communicate data corresponding to a UE served by thefirst CBSD and data corresponding to a UE served by the second CBSD oversaid second CBSD's backhaul.

Method Embodiment 10

The method of method embodiment 9, wherein the first CBSD does not havea wired backhaul connection to the service provider network or thewireless service provider network.

Method Embodiment 11

The method of method embodiment 1-, wherein the first CBSD includes afirst set of antennas and a second set of antennas, the method furthercomprising: using the first set of antennas to receive and transmitsignals to the base station of the wireless network service provider andto the second CBSD; and using the second set of antennas forcommunications with user equipment devices served by the first CBSD.

Method Embodiment 12

The method of method embodiment 11, wherein the first CBSD communicateswith the second CBSD using a first frequency band; and wherein the firstCBSD communicates with user equipment devices served by the first CBSDusing a second frequency band which is different from the firstfrequency band.

Method Embodiment 13

The method of method embodiment 12, wherein the first frequency band isa licensed frequency band used by a macro base station operator andwherein the first base station is a macro base station.

Method Embodiment 14

The method of method embodiment 13, wherein said first base station isan LTE base station and wherein said D2D communications link is an LTED2D communications link which uses a physical resource block (PRB)allocated by the first base station for said D2D communications linkbetween the first CBSD and the second CBSD.

Method Embodiment 15

The method of method embodiment 2, further comprising: operating thefirst CBSD to send a second D2D resource request message to the firstbase station to request wireless D2D communications resources forcommunicating with the second CBSD during a second period of time, saidsecond D2D resource request message requesting a second amount of D2Dcommunications resources different than said first D2D resource requestmessage.

Method Embodiment 16

The method of method embodiment 15, further comprising: operating thefirst CBSD to send, via the D2D communications link, a second backhaulresource reservation signal to the second CBSD to reserve a secondportion of the communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD tothe service provider communication network, said second portion being ofa different size than said first portion.

Method Embodiment 17

The method of method embodiment 16, wherein the second amount of D2Dcommunications resources requested in said second D2D resource requestmessage and the second portion of the communications backhaul requestedby the second backhaul resource reservation signal are based upon anexpected amount of traffic to be communicated over the backhaul of thesecond CBSD for user equipment devices served by the first CBSD duringthe second period of time.

Method Embodiment 18

The method of method embodiment 7, further comprising: operating thefirst CBSD to communicate with a Spectrum Access System (SAS) via theD2D communications link and the backhaul of the second CBSD.

LIST OF EXEMPLARY NUMBERED SYSTEM EMBODIMENTS System Embodiment 1

A communications system comprising: a first Citizens Broadband RadioService Device (CBSD) including a first processor configured to controlthe first CBSD to: establish a wireless device to device (D2D)communications link with a second CBSD using D2D wireless communicationsresources; send, via the D2D communications link, a first backhaulresource reservation signal to the second CBSD to reserve a firstportion of a communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD to aservice provider communication network; and communicate data for a userequipment device (UE) being served by the first CBSD to said serviceprovider communications network via said D2D communications link and thecommunications backhaul extending from the second CBSD.

System Embodiment 2

The system of system embodiment 1, wherein said first processor isfurther configured to control the first CSBD to perform the followingoperations prior to the establishment of the wireless D2D link: i) senda first registration signal to a first base station of a wirelessnetwork service provider (e.g., LTE macro network service provider) toregister with the wireless network service provider; and ii) send afirst D2D resource request message to the first base station to requestwireless D2D communications resources for communicating with the secondCBSD.

System Embodiment 3

The system of system embodiment 2, further wherein said second CBSDincludes a second processor, said second processor being configured tocontrol the second CSBD to send a second registration signal to the basestation of the wireless network service provider (e.g., LTE macronetwork service provider) to register with the wireless network serviceprovider prior to the establishment of the wireless D2D link.

System Embodiment 4

The system of system embodiment 3, wherein the first registration signalis a signal to register the first CBSD as a mobile service subscriber inthe wireless network of the wireless network service provider; andwherein the second registration signal is a signal to register thesecond CBSD as a mobile service subscriber in the wireless network ofwireless network service provider.

System Embodiment 5

The system of system embodiment 4, wherein the first and second CBSDseach include a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, the first CBSDappearing as a first UE to the wireless network and the second CBSDappearing as a second UE to the wireless network.

System Embodiment 6

The system of system embodiment 5, wherein the wireless network is anLTE wireless network and the D2D communications link is an LTE D2Dcommunications link.

System Embodiment 7

The system of system embodiment 2, wherein said first D2D resourcerequest message requests a first amount of wireless D2D communicationsresources, said first amount of wireless D2D communications resourcesbeing based on an expected amount of data to be transmitted over thebackhaul of the second CBSD on behalf of user equipment devices servicedby the first CBSD during a first period of time.

System Embodiment 8

The system of system embodiment 7, wherein said first processor isfurther configured to control the first CBSD to receive, via the D2Dcommunications link, a backhaul resource grant signal from the secondCBSD indicating that the first portion of the second CBSD's backhaul hasbeen reserved for use by first CBSD.

System Embodiment 9

The system of system embodiment 8, wherein the second processor isfurther configured to control the second CBSD to communicate datacorresponding to a UE served by the first CBSD and data corresponding toa UE served by the second CBSD over said second CBSD's backhaul.

System Embodiment 10

The system of system embodiment 9, wherein the first CBSD does not havea wired backhaul connection to the service provider network or thewireless service provider network.

System Embodiment 11

The system of system embodiment 10, wherein the first CBSD includes afirst set of antennas and a second set of antennas and said firstprocessor is further configured to control the first CBSD to: (i) usethe first set of antennas to receive and transmit signals to the basestation of the wireless network service provider and to the second CBSD;and (ii) use the second set of antennas for communications with userequipment devices served by the first CBSD.

System Embodiment 12

The system of system embodiment 11, wherein the first CBSD communicateswith the second CBSD using a first frequency band; and wherein the firstCBSD communicates with user equipment devices served by the first CBSDusing a second frequency band which is different from the firstfrequency band.

System Embodiment 13

The system of system embodiment 12, wherein the first frequency band isa licensed frequency band used by a macro base station operator andwherein the first base station is a macro base station.

System Embodiment 14

The system of system embodiment 13, wherein said first base station isan LTE base station and wherein said D2D communications link is an LTED2D communications link which uses a physical resource block (PRB)allocated by the first base station for said D2D communications linkbetween the first CBSD and the second CBSD.

System Embodiment 15

The system of system embodiment 2, wherein the first processor isfurther configured to control the first CBSD to send a second D2Dresource request message to the first base station to request wirelessD2D communications resources for communicating with the second CBSDduring a second period of time, said second D2D resource request messagerequesting a second amount of D2D communications resources differentthan said first D2D resource request message.

System Embodiment 16

The system of system embodiment 15, wherein the first processor isfurther configured to control the first CBSD to send, via the D2Dcommunications link, a second backhaul resource reservation signal tothe second CBSD to reserve a second portion of the communicationsbackhaul extending from the second CBSD to the service providercommunication network, said second portion being of a different sizethan said first portion.

System Embodiment 17

The system of system embodiment 16, wherein the second amount of D2Dcommunications resources requested in said second D2D resource requestmessage and the second portion of the communications backhaul requestedby the second backhaul resource reservation signal are based upon anexpected amount of traffic to be communicated over the backhaul of thesecond CBSD for user equipment devices served by the first CBSD duringthe second period of time.

System Embodiment 18

The system of system embodiment 7, wherein the first processor isfurther configured to control the first CBSD to communicate with aSpectrum Access System (SAS) via the D2D communications link and thebackhaul of the second CBSD.

LIST OF EXEMPLARY NUMBERED COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM EMBODIMENTS ComputerReadable Medium Embodiment 1

A non-transitory computer readable medium including a first set ofcomputer executable instructions which when executed by a processor of afirst Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) cause the firstCBSD to perform the steps of: establishing a wireless device to device(D2D) communications link with a second CBSD using D2D wirelesscommunications resources; sending, via the D2D communications link, afirst backhaul resource reservation signal to the second CBSD to reservea first portion of a communications backhaul extending from the secondCBSD to a service provider communication network; and communicating datafor a user equipment device (UE) being served by the first CBSD to saidservice provider communications network via said D2D communications linkand the communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD.

The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software,hardware and/or a combination of software and hardware. Variousembodiments are directed to apparatus, e.g., CBSD, user equipmentdevices, SAS, Serving Gateway, PDN gateway, servers, mobility managemententities, network nodes, and/or network equipment devices. Variousembodiments are also directed to methods, e.g., method of controllingand/or operating CBSD devices, network nodes, SAS, nodes, servers, userequipment devices, controllers, mobility management entities or networkequipment devices. Various embodiments are also directed to machine,e.g., computer, readable medium, e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, hard discs, etc.,which include machine readable instructions for controlling a machine toimplement one or more steps of a method. The computer readable mediumis, e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses and methods disclosed is an example of exemplary approaches.Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific orderor hierarchy of steps in the processes and methods may be rearrangedwhile remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in asample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented. In some embodiments, one or more processors areused to carry out one or more steps of the each of the describedmethods.

In various embodiments each of the steps or elements of a method areimplemented using one or more processors. In some embodiments, each ofthe elements or steps are implemented using hardware circuitry.

In various embodiments devices, servers, nodes and/or elements describedherein are implemented using one or more components to perform the stepscorresponding to one or more methods, for example, message reception,signal processing, sending, comparing, determining and/or transmissionsteps. Thus, in some embodiments various features are implemented usingcomponents or in some embodiments logic such as for example logiccircuits. Such components may be implemented using software, hardware ora combination of software and hardware. Many of the above describedmethods or method steps can be implemented using machine executableinstructions, such as software, included in a machine readable mediumsuch as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control amachine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additionalhardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods,e.g., in one or more devices, servers, nodes and/or elements.Accordingly, among other things, various embodiments are directed to amachine-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer readablemedium, including machine executable instructions for causing a machine,e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of thesteps of the above-described method(s). Some embodiments are directed toa device, e.g., a controller, including a processor configured toimplement one, multiple or all of the steps of one or more methods ofthe invention.

In some embodiments, the processor or processors, e.g., CPUs, of one ormore devices, e.g., communications nodes such as CBSD, UEs, SAS, macrobase stations, eNodeBs, registrars, HSS servers, network servicedevices, video content servers are configured to perform the steps ofthe methods described as being performed by the CBSD, UEs, SAS, macrobase stations, eNodeBs, registrars, HSS servers, network servicedevices, video content servers. The configuration of the processor maybe achieved by using one or more components, e.g., software components,to control processor configuration and/or by including hardware in theprocessor, e.g., hardware components, to perform the recited stepsand/or control processor configuration. Accordingly, some but not allembodiments are directed to a device, e.g., CBSD, UE, SAS, macro basestation, eNodeB, registrar, HSS server, network service device, videocontent server, with a processor which includes a componentcorresponding to each of the steps of the various described methodsperformed by the device in which the processor is included. In some butnot all embodiments a device, e.g., CBSD, UE, SAS, macro base station,eNodeB, registrar, HSS server, network service device, video contentserver, includes a processor corresponding to each of the steps of thevarious described methods performed by the device in which the processoris included. The components may be implemented using software and/orhardware.

Some embodiments are directed to a computer program product comprising acomputer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, comprising code for causing a computer, or multiple computers,to implement various functions, steps, acts and/or operations, e.g. oneor more steps described above. Depending on the embodiment, the computerprogram product can, and sometimes does, include different code for eachstep to be performed. Thus, the computer program product may, andsometimes does, include code for each individual step of a method, e.g.,a method of controlling a node, CBSD, UE, SAS, macro base station,eNodeB, registrar, HSS server, network service device, video contentserver. The code may be in the form of machine, e.g., computer,executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a RAM (Random AccessMemory), ROM (Read Only Memory) or other type of storage device. Inaddition to being directed to a computer program product, someembodiments are directed to a processor configured to implement one ormore of the various functions, steps, acts and/or operations of one ormore methods described above. Accordingly, some embodiments are directedto a processor, e.g., CPU, configured to implement some or all of thesteps of the methods described herein. The processor may be for use in,e.g., a communications device such as a CBSD, UE or other devicedescribed in the present application.

Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of thevarious embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled inthe art in view of the above description. Such variations are to beconsidered within the scope. Numerous additional embodiments, within thescope of the present invention, will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art in view of the above description and the claims whichfollow. Such variations are to be considered within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communications method, the method comprising:operating a first Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) toestablish a wireless device to device (D2D) communications link with asecond CBSD using D2D wireless communications resources; operating thefirst CBSD to send, via the D2D communications link, a first backhaulresource reservation signal to the second CBSD to reserve a firstportion of a communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD to aservice provider communication network; and operating the first CBSD tocommunicate data for a user equipment device (UE) being served by thefirst CBSD to said service provider communications network via said D2Dcommunications link and the communications backhaul extending from thesecond CBSD.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior toestablishing the wireless D2D link: i) operating the first CBSD to senda first registration signal to a first base station of a wirelessnetwork service provider to register with the wireless network serviceprovider; and ii) operating the first CBSD to send a first D2D resourcerequest message to the first base station to request wireless D2Dcommunications resources for communicating with the second CBSD.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein said first D2D resource request messagerequests a first amount of wireless D2D communications resources, saidfirst amount of wireless D2D communications resources being based on anexpected amount of data to be transmitted over the backhaul of thesecond CBSD on behalf of user equipment devices serviced by the firstCBSD during a first period of time.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: operating the first CBSD to receive, via the D2Dcommunications link, a backhaul resource grant signal from the secondCBSD indicating that the first portion of the second CBSD's backhaul hasbeen reserved for use by the first CBSD.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising: operating the second CBSD to communicate datacorresponding to a UE served by the first CBSD and data corresponding toa UE served by the second CBSD over said second CBSD's backhaul.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the first CBSD does not have a wired backhaulconnection to the service provider network or the wireless serviceprovider network.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first CBSDincludes a first set of antennas and a second set of antennas, themethod further comprising: using the first set of antennas to receiveand transmit signals to the base station of the wireless network serviceprovider and to the second CBSD; and using the second set of antennasfor communications with user equipment devices served by the first CBSD.8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first CBSD communicates with thesecond CBSD using a first frequency band; and wherein the first CBSDcommunicates with user equipment devices served by the first CBSD usinga second frequency band which is different from the first frequencyband.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising: operating the firstCBSD to send a second D2D resource request message to the first basestation to request wireless D2D communications resources forcommunicating with the second CBSD during a second period of time, saidsecond D2D resource request message requesting a second amount of D2Dcommunications resources different than said first D2D resource requestmessage.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: operating thefirst CBSD to send, via the D2D communications link, a second backhaulresource reservation signal to the second CBSD to reserve a secondportion of the communications backhaul extending from the second CBSD tothe service provider communication network, said second portion being ofa different size than said first portion.
 11. A communications systemcomprising: a first Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD)including a first processor configured to control the first CBSD to:establish a wireless device to device (D2D) communications link with asecond CBSD using D2D wireless communications resources; send, via theD2D communications link, a first backhaul resource reservation signal tothe second CBSD to reserve a first portion of a communications backhaulextending from the second CBSD to a service provider communicationnetwork; and communicate data for a user equipment device (UE) beingserved by the first CBSD to said service provider communications networkvia said D2D communications link and the communications backhaulextending from the second CBSD.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein saidfirst processor is further configured to control the first CSBD toperform the following operations prior to the establishment of thewireless D2D link: i) send a first registration signal to a first basestation of a wireless network service provider to register with thewireless network service provider; and ii) send a first D2D resourcerequest message to the first base station to request wireless D2Dcommunications resources for communicating with the second CBSD.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein said first D2D resource request messagerequests a first amount of wireless D2D communications resources, saidfirst amount of wireless D2D communications resources being based on anexpected amount of data to be transmitted over the backhaul of thesecond CBSD on behalf of user equipment devices serviced by the firstCBSD during a first period of time.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinsaid first processor is further configured to control the first CBSD toreceive, via the D2D communications link, a backhaul resource grantsignal from the second CBSD indicating that the first portion of thesecond CBSD's backhaul has been reserved for use by the first CBSD. 15.The system of claim 14, wherein the second processor is furtherconfigured to control the second CBSD to communicate data correspondingto a UE served by the first CBSD and data corresponding to a UE servedby the second CBSD over said second CBSD's backhaul.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the first CBSD does not have a wired backhaulconnection to the service provider network or the wireless serviceprovider network.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first CBSDincludes a first set of antennas and a second set of antennas and saidfirst processor is further configured to control the first CBSD to: (i)use the first set of antennas to receive and transmit signals to thebase station of the wireless network service provider and to the secondCBSD; and (ii) use the second set of antennas for communications withuser equipment devices served by the first CBSD.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein the first CBSD communicates with the second CBSD using afirst frequency band; and wherein the first CBSD communicates with userequipment devices served by the first CBSD using a second frequency bandwhich is different from the first frequency band.
 19. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the first processor is further configured to controlthe first CBSD to send a second D2D resource request message to thefirst base station to request wireless D2D communications resources forcommunicating with the second CBSD during a second period of time, saidsecond D2D resource request message requesting a second amount of D2Dcommunications resources different than said first D2D resource requestmessage.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a firstset of computer executable instructions which when executed by aprocessor of a first Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD)cause the first CBSD to perform the steps of: establishing a wirelessdevice to device (D2D) communications link with a second CBSD using D2Dwireless communications resources; sending, via the D2D communicationslink, a first backhaul resource reservation signal to the second CBSD toreserve a first portion of a communications backhaul extending from thesecond CBSD to a service provider communication network; andcommunicating data for a user equipment device (UE) being served by thefirst CBSD to said service provider communications network via said D2Dcommunications link and the communications backhaul extending from thesecond CBSD.